Violin virtuoso Pavel Sporcl takes on challenge of Paganini

What you are hearing is Capricio N. 5 by Nicolo Paganini played by one of the most talented Czech violinists, 31-year old Pavel Sporcl. Once you see him you'll remember - the young man never shows up without his favourite scarf on his head. He is a classical musician of extraordinary talent, as his newly released CD confirms.

Violin virtuoso Pavel Sporcl takes on challenge of Paganini

Pavel Sporcl

It is by no means Pavel Sporcl's first CD. A couple of his discs have already achieved gold album status here in the Czech Republic. But this one seems to be particularly distinctive. What makes it special are the compositions he chose. But we'll let Pavel speak for himself.

"The CD is very fervent. There are mostly compositions by the famous Italian violinist Nicolo Paganini. These are very difficult - technically challenging pieces. There is also a piece by a contemporary American composer David Baker called 'Ethnic variations on a theme by Paganini' which I recorded for the first time ever. The whole CD is violin and piano."

Pavel Sporcl perceives Paganini's compositions as a sort of test of a violinist's virtuosity.

"To play Paganini's pieces is always a great challenge for every violinist. We've been taught from childhood that Paganini is the greatest violinist ever. His compositions are really very difficult and it's an honour for every violinist to record a CD like that. I am glad that I've had this chance, and regarding the technique, this is my greatest achievement so far."

Sporcl's CD issue is also accompanied by a remarkable video directed by the well known film director Juraj Herz. And if you'd like to hear Pavel Sporcl play live in the forthcoming months, he will be giving concerts in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Greece and of course in the Czech Republic as well.